What a spring we have had so far! The oaks here in Suffolk are well ahead of the ash, so as the old saying goes Oak before Ash, in for a splash, Ash before Oak, in for a soak, we shall see. I can tell with it being my second spring in suffolk that everything is further ahead this year, but then last year took a while to warm up, and if old sayings are anything to go by, Ne’er cast a clout (coat), till May be out.

Never mind all that, right now I am appreciating the astounding beauty of theWisteria sinensis Prolific, that elegantly climbs across a cream wall here on the nursery. Its pendulous racemes and perfect pruning transform the wall and transport the viewer to somewhere grand and romantic like renaissance Italy. Underneath Iris germanica Rosalie Figge perfectly compliments, enhancing the dream.

Wisteria is a vigorous woody vine, growing up to 20m high by 10m across and as such requires a strong substantial support frame. The largest recorded Wisteria apparently measures in at an acre, but with regular pruning its size and shape can be well maintained (as is the case here on the nursery). In its native environment Wisteria sinensis grows up other trees, preferring a rich well drained, slightly acid soil. I know of one that grows all the way from a neighbouring house up, up, up, over a high fence into a crab apple tree which blossoms around the same time, creating a soft natural effect that stills the mind.

In the foothills of the high country in the South Island (New Zealand) Lupins have found a home along the gravelly banks of braided rivers, thriving to the extent they actually have become something of a pest (due to habitat modification-another story altogether). But who could seriously begrudge the sight of lupins in various pastels growing en-mass, stunningly set off by the snow capped Southern Alps and turquoise waters of glacial fed streams.

The lupins on the nursery were potted on a few weeks ago and the palmate foliage triumphantly smiles out of its pot, as if to say thank-you. I look forward to lupins every year as they remind me my mother, who as far as I can see grows the best lupins. There is no real secret in it, except to say they want their soil rather light, not too full of nutrients and nor too compacted.

Some recommend to cut down flower stalks to stop seed development, which uses plant energy, perhaps more important when the plant is young, but it may also encourage a second later flourish of flowers. However its worthwhile noting that without George Russell’s breeding and selection of seedlings the lupin would not be what it is today. So if you like a bit of randomness in colours, let your lupins set seed and see what happens, or if taking the controlled approach cut down those flowers stalks! Either way, with the warming April soil, now is the time to get your lupins planted.

The Dicentra spectabilis are budding and even opening now. Like something conjured from a faery tale, heart shaped buds dangle from arching racemes surrounded by delicate divided fronds of foliage. On the nursery we have both the straight species form and the Dicentra spectabilis Alba for those who like the refreshing simplicity of white on green.

Dicentra spectabilis is a hardy rhizomatous perennial native to woodlands of Eastern Asia. It likes a moist soil in a lightly shaded position, a cooler position is said to promote longevity of flowering and increase lushness of foliage. Be careful not to disturb the roots, as the plant naturally dies back after flowering one can forget where it is planted and this plants does not enjoy having its brittle roots prodded about.